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Australia may not be competing in the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia, but Courtney Act is making sure the country doesn’t miss a single fabulous moment.
Eurovision Asia just got a little more fabulous
Eurovision is heading into a brand-new era, and one of Australia’s most beloved drag performers is coming along for the ride.
Courtney Act has officially been confirmed as the Australian commentator for the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 14 November.
Australian broadcaster SBS announced the news on 14 October, confirming that Courtney will guide viewers through the historic competition, which brings together performers from eleven Asian countries.
Australia won’t be competing, but with Courtney behind the microphone, viewers can expect a healthy dose of glamour, musical knowledge and the kind of commentary that makes Eurovision such a wonderfully chaotic experience.
Because, let’s face it, Eurovision without a little drag energy? We simply cannot have that.
Eleven countries, one historic Eurovision night
The first Eurovision Asia will feature Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
The event represents an ambitious expansion of the Eurovision concept, bringing its familiar combination of national representation, musical competition and spectacular performances to a new region.
Bangkok will host the grand final on 14 November, with Thai television personalities Woody Milintachinda and Cindy Bishop presenting the show.
For fans who have spent decades watching the European competition, the Asian edition promises an opportunity to discover different musical traditions, languages and emerging performers.
And while Eurovision Asia will establish its own identity, the essential ingredients are already there: music, national pride, elaborate staging and the possibility of something gloriously unexpected.
Courtney Act is no Eurovision newcomer
Courtney Act, whose real name is Shane Jenek, has become one of Australia’s most recognisable queer entertainers since appearing on Australian Idol and subsequently reaching the final of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6.
She later won Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2018, establishing herself as a performer whose appeal extends well beyond the drag scene.
Her relationship with Eurovision is already well established.
Courtney served as Australia’s Eurovision spokesperson in 2022, worked backstage for SBS during the 2024 contest in Malmö and joined the broadcaster’s commentary team in 2025.
Her return for Eurovision Asia therefore feels like a natural continuation of that relationship, rather than an unexpected celebrity appointmentShe understands the competition, its passionate fandom and the unique combination of sincerity and theatrical excess that makes Eurovision so irresistible.
Why queer representation matters at Eurovision Asia
Eurovision has long occupied a special place in LGBTQ+ culture.
From drag performers and openly queer contestants to songs celebrating identity and self-expression, the competition has frequently offered a platform for artists who challenge conventional expectations.
The arrival of Eurovision Asia opens another chapter in that cultural relationship.
However, LGBTQ+ rights and public attitudes vary significantly across the participating countries. It would be misleading to assume that the new competition will automatically reproduce the same relationship with queer visibility as its European counterpart.
Courtney’s involvement nevertheless brings a recognisably queer voice to the Australian broadcast.
And in a global entertainment landscape where LGBTQ+ visibility can still provoke controversy, that presence is worth celebrating.
How to watch Eurovision Asia from Australia
Australian viewers will be able to watch the competition live on SBS On Demand from midnight on 14 November, with a replay on SBS2 on 15 November.
International broadcast arrangements may differ, and UK availability has not yet been confirmed in the official SBS announcement.
With less than a month until the inaugural contest, anticipation is building around the artists, performances and staging that will define this new Eurovision chapter.
How to watch Eurovision Asia 2026 live in the UK
Good news, British Eurovision fans! You won’t need a flight to Bangkok, an Australian television subscription or a complicated streaming workaround to join the party.
The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will be streamed live worldwide on the official Eurovision YouTube channel on Saturday 14 November.
The Grand Final begins at 1:30pm GMT in the UK, corresponding to 8:30pm local time in Bangkok, Thailand.
UK viewers can watch the competition for free through the official Eurovision YouTube channel, with performances from eleven competing countries.
And the fun doesn’t stop at watching. Organisers have confirmed that international viewers will also be able to participate in voting through the official Eurovision Asia website.
Australian audiences will have their own SBS coverage featuring Courtney Act as commentator. The UK YouTube stream is officially confirmed, although Courtney’s commentary has not been announced as part of that international broadcast.
So, clear your Saturday afternoon, prepare your snacks and get ready for Eurovision with a distinctly Asian twist.
Bangkok is bringing the spectacle, and Britain has a front-row seat, darling.
The Gayly Mirror’s take
Eurovision has always been about more than the scoreboard.
It’s a celebration of musical identity, extravagant performances and the joy of seeing different cultures share the same stage.
Bringing Courtney Act into Eurovision Asia’s Australian coverage feels like a particularly inspired choice.
She’s funny, knowledgeable, charismatic and gloriously unafraid of a little sparkle.
Australia may not be bringing a competing song, but it’s certainly bringing personality.
Eleven countries, one fabulous drag queen and an entirely new Eurovision adventure. Darling, consider us seated.
